Computational Scientist

Computational Scientist

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Frederick National Laboratory is dedicated to improving human health through the discovery and innovation in the biomedical sciences, focusing on cancer, AIDS and emerging infectious diseases.

The Biomedical Informatics and Data Science (BIDS) directorate works collaboratively and helps to fulfill the mission of Frederick National Laboratory in the areas of biomedical informatics and data science by developing and applying world leading data science and computing technologies to basic and applied biomedical research challenges, supporting critical operations, developing and delivering national data resources, and employing leading-edge software and data science.

The RNA Biology laboratory carries out cutting-edge research into the roles of RNAs and RNA-protein complexes in cancer and fosters synergistic interactions and cross-disciplinary collaborations between a wide range of RNA scientists and clinicians. Areas under study include the pathways by which RNAs are synthesized, processed and degraded, the mechanisms by which noncoding RNAs and RNA-protein complexes contribute to cell function and tumor virus replication, the ways in which alterations in RNA metabolism contribute to human cancers, and the development of RNA-based therapies.

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

The Scientist, Computational II/III is responsible for providing bioinformatics support to RNA Biology Lab (RBL) investigators at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) 

• Contributing to experimental design for RBL projects
• Automated workflow development and deployment
• Downstream analysis and interpretation of high-throughput biomedical data generated by microarray, next-generation sequencing, proteomics and metabolomics platforms
• Mining publicly available biological data to generate novel hypotheses or insights 
• Presenting analysis results in a clear and concise manner, to an audience not familiar with bioinformatics
• Work effectively as a member of a team, coordinate activities among RBL PIs and laboratories
• Follow sound scientific practices and maintain effective documentation of activities and analyses
• The majority of time will be spent on the NCI Frederick campus

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

This position may be filled with a Computational Scientist II/III commensurate with the selected candidates experience. 

To be considered for this position, you must minimally meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below:

• Possession of a PhD degree from an accredited college or university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) in life science/bioinformatics/math/physics/computer related field or eight (8) years of related experience.  Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency
  • Computational Scientist II - two (2) years of progressively responsible experience
  • Computational Scientist III - five (5) years of progressively responsible experience
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration:

• A demonstrated track record of critical thinking and problem solving
• Ability to multi-task across projects and collaborators
• A background in RNA biology and experience with complex bioinformatic analysis of RNA sequencing experiments
• Record of scientific achievements including journal publications and conference presentations

EXPECTED COMPETENCIES

• Deep understanding of and experience in processing high throughput biomedical data: data cleaning, normalization, analysis, interpretation and visualization
• Ability to understand and analyze data from complex experimental designs
• Proficiency in at least one of the following programming languages: Perl, Python, R, Java and C/C++
• Experience in at least two of the following areas: RNASeq, CLiPseq, single-cell RNAseq, long-read sequencing and analysis, splicing and RNAstructure analysis, GenomeSeq, ChIPSeq, ExomeSeq, methylation sequencing and array
• Familiarity with public databases: NCBI, Ensembl, TCGA, cBioPortal, Broad FireHose, GEO, GTEx, 1k Genomes/GNOMAD
• Knowledge of working in a cluster and/or cloud environment

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) | Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran (M/F/D/V) | Drug Free Workplace (DFW)

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